Luau Pork Food

KALUA PIG - SHREDDED PORK LIKE SERVED AT A HAWAIIAN LUAU

Steps:

• Trim any excess fat from the roast.
• Make several shallow long cuts along the roast or pierce liberally with a fork. (This allows the salt and liquid smoke to penetrate the meat.)
• Rub with salt and liquid smoke. Wrap the roast with banana leaf or in the absence of same, place whole bananas on top of meat .
• Cut the ribs from the ti leaves and wrap over the banana leaf. Substitute aluminum foil, if ti leaves are not available. (Ti leaves, however, can often be obtained from your local florist especially on the West Coast).
• Tie the leaves securely with twine.
• Roast in a 325 F to 350 F oven for about 45 minutes per pound. When the meat is done, remove the ti leaves, the banana leaf (or bananas) and shred the pork.

KALUA BURIED PORK SHOULDER

Steps:

• For the pork: Season the pork shoulder generously with salt and pepper. Lay the pork in the middle of a banana leaf and wrap the leaf around it. Rotate the pork a quarter turn and wrap with another leaf. Repeat with the remaining leaves. Wrap with heavy-duty foil twice to make sure it is completely encased. Line the bottom of an 8- to 10-quart cast-iron Dutch oven with a cast-iron lid with a damp paper towel. Put the pork on the paper towel and cover with the lid. Set aside.
• Fill a charcoal chimney completely full with charcoal and light it. Once it is lit and starting to ash over, carefully move the chimney to a heatproof surface. Remove the top grilling rack of a kettle-style charcoal grill (you will not need it for grilling). Put the Dutch oven in the middle of the bottom grate of the grill. Put unlit charcoal pieces all around the Dutch oven and then empty the chimney on top of it. Using metal tongs, spread out the hot coals so they are on top of the Dutch oven as well as all around the sides (depending on the size of your grill you may need to add another chimney full of charcoal). Keep the grill uncovered and fully vented for 10 to 15 minutes to get the unlit coals started. Then put the lid on and close the bottom and top vents about 90% of the way. Cook the pork, checking every so often to make sure the grill is still hot and the temperature is hovering around 250 degrees F (add more lit charcoal as needed to maintain temperature), until completely tender, about 10 hours.
• For the coleslaw: Meanwhile, combine the coleslaw mix with the rice vinegar, chiles, mango, scallions, pineapple and 1 teaspoon salt. Cover and refrigerate while the pork cooks, at least 2 hours. You can also prepare the slaw the day before.
• Carefully remove the Dutch oven from the ashes. Remove the lid and use scissors to cut an X through the top of the foil and banana leaves, all the way to the meat. Shred the meat with 2 forks, season with salt and pepper and toss to combine the meat with the juices.
• Sandwich some pork and coleslaw between the split rolls and secure with luau-inspired toothpicks.

KALUA PORK

Steps:

• Pierce pork with a fork; rub with liquid smoke and salt. Place pork in a 6-qt. slow cooker. Cook, covered, on low until pork is tender, 8-10 hours. , Remove roast; shred with 2 forks. Strain cooking juices; skim fat. Return pork to slow cooker. Stir in enough cooking juices to moisten; heat through. If desired, serve with rice. Freeze option: Freeze cooled meat mixture and juices in freezer containers. To use, partially thaw in refrigerator overnight. Heat through in a saucepan, stirring occasionally; add broth if necessary.

LAU LAU

Steps:

• Season fish, pork and chicken with Hawaiian sea salt. Place 2 ti leaves in an X on a flat surface for each of the 4 servings.
• Place 1/4 of each of the fish, pork and chicken onto the center of 3 or 4 taro leaves. Wrap securely with the taro leaves, then place each wrap on a set of ti leaves. Tie the ends of the ti leaves together with a piece of string.
• Place the bundles in a large steamer, and steam for 3 to 4 hours.

LUAU PORK

Steps:

• Place a large sheet of heavy duty foil in a baking pan.
• Put roast on top and sprinkle with remaining ingredients.
• Seal very tightly. You might want to wrap it a second time.
• Turn on oven to 300°(convection)or 325°(conventional).
• Place pan on lower rack of oven and bake for 3 to 4 hours. Meat should fall apart and be very tender and juicy.
• To serve, shred the pork and mound on a platter and garnish.

LAU LAU (KALUA PORK WITH BUTTERFISH WRAPPED IN TARO LEAVES)

Steps:

• Combine 2 cups water with the Liquid Smoke and sea salt in a large bowl. Add the pork butt and let marinate in the refrigerator for 24 hours.
• Cut the stems off the taro leaves and soak the leaves in a large bowl or salad spinner filled with water for 20 minutes. Rinse the leaves, then repeat soaking for 20 minutes and rinse again.
• Place a 14-inch square of foil on a work surface and spray with nonstick cooking spray. Place 1 taro leaf on the foil, then center about 12 ounces of the pork butt and 2 ounces of the butterfish on top (overlap several taro leaves if necessary to fit). Wrap the taro leaf over the filling, folding in from the sides first so that it completely covers the filling, then roll shut like a burrito, using additional taro leaves to wrap over any tears. Wrap in another 1 to 2 layers of leaf (you will need 6 to 8 ounces of leaves, total, for each packet). Tightly fold the foil over the packet to completely cover the taro leaves. Repeat with the remaining leaves, pork butt and butterfish. Reserve remaining pork butt for another use.
• Place the Lau Lau packets in a large steamer pot, cover and cook for 6 hours. Add water to the steamer as needed.

LUAU PORK LETTUCE WRAPS

Steps:

• Rub salt and pepper over roast; transfer to a 5- or 6-qt. slow cooker. Combine ketchup, hoisin and chili sauce; pour over roast. Top with mushrooms, onion and pineapple. Cook, covered, on low until pork is tender, 6-8 hours., Remove roast; cool slightly. Strain cooking juices. Reserve vegetables and 1/2 to 1-1/2 cups juices; discard remaining juices. Skim fat from reserved juices. Shred pork with 2 forks. Return pork and reserved vegetables slow cooker; pour desired amount of reserved cooking juices over pork mixture and stir to combine. Stir in water chestnuts; heat through. Serve in lettuce leaves; top with green onions, if desired. Freeze option: Freeze cooled meat mixture in freezer containers. To use, partially thaw in refrigerator overnight. Microwave, covered, on high in a microwave-safe dish until heated through, stirring occasionally; add broth if necessary. Serve with lettuce.

LUAU PORK

Steps:

• CUT the pork butt into medium (2- to 3-inch) chunks (the ribs don't need to be cut up).
• PUT the pork in a large slow cooker (at least 6 quarts). Sprinkle the meat with the rub, turning the pieces to coat evenly. Add the pineapple juice, soy sauce, vinegar, bottled smoke, garlic, chiles, and ginger. Place the whole banana on top of the meat.
• COVER and cook on high for 5 to 6 hours or on low for 8 to 10 hours, until the meat is pull-apart tender and reaches an internal temperature of 190°F.
• DISCARD the banana. Using tongs and a slotted spoon, transfer the meat to a rimmed platter or baking sheet. Let rest until cool enough to handle. Pull the meat into strands. It should shred very easily.
• To serve the barbecue later, Cover and refrigerate the meat when it has cooled. Pour the meat juice into a separate container and refrigerate. Before reheating the juice, skim and discard the congealed fat layer on the top.
• To reheat the barbecue, Place it in a saucepan moistened with some of the reserved juice. Gently heat the meat on medium-low, stirring occasionally. Or, place it in a covered casserole with some of the reserved juice and heat in a 350°F oven for 20 to 30 minutes.